Starting in 2026, updated truck traffic regulations have come into force in Poland. These changes go beyond the usual weekend and holiday bans. Drivers and logistics specialists must now consider new restricted zones, expanded environmental requirements (LEZ), overtaking bans, local urban restrictions, and weather-based limitations.

Enforcement has become noticeably stricter: both automated monitoring systems and on-site manual checks are now used, including targeted recording of violations on specific road sections. Violations — especially those involving non-compliant EURO standards or unauthorized entry into restricted areas — can result in hefty fines.

At MT onroad, we support commercial vehicles facing all sorts of challenges on German roads every day. We also know how crucial it is for drivers to stay informed about the regulations in neighboring countries. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to the truck ban in Poland, covering every relevant restriction, including the newest updates for 2026. Below, you’ll find official resources, city-specific rules, route details, and practical insights to help you avoid penalties and confidently plan your journeys across Polish territory.

Legal Framework Behind the Poland Truck Ban

The truck ban Poland rules are based on two key legislative acts. The first is the Road Traffic Act of June 20, 1997 (Prawo o ruchu drogowym), which defines the general principles of road usage and vehicle interactions. The second is the Road Transport Act of September 6, 2001 (Ustawa o transporcie drogowym), outlining the conditions for commercial transport, driver requirements, licensing procedures, and freight classifications.

The full list of restrictions is detailed in a regulation issued by Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure — Regulation of July 31, 2007, titled Rozporządzenie w sprawie okresowych ograniczeń oraz zakazu ruchu niektórych rodzajów pojazdów na drogach. This document clearly lays out where and when truck bans in Poland apply, what types of vehicles are affected, and what exceptions may be granted. The rules are designed to ensure road safety while minimizing disruptions to critical logistics.

Where to Check Today’s Truck Ban in Poland: Official Sources for Drivers

If you're planning a route through Poland in 2026, it’s essential to rely on trustworthy data. At MT onroad, we recommend checking updates on the following official platforms:

• GITD (General Inspectorate of Road Transport) – provides details on active bans, inspection procedures, and penalty guidelines.
• Ministry of Infrastructure Website – regularly updated with transport legislation changes and temporary restriction notices.
• Etransport.pl – a specialized platform offering a truck restriction calendar for Poland and other EU countries, along with news and updates from the logistics sector.
• Truck.pl – popular among carriers, featuring a mix of vehicle listings and current traffic news.
• Policja Drogowa website (Road Police) – especially useful during extreme weather or road closures due to local events or emergencies.

Online Tools and Maps to Navigate the Truck Ban in Poland

To stay on top of all active Poland truck ban restrictions, we highly recommend using dedicated digital tools that help truck drivers navigate real-time changes:

• Trafficban.com – An international platform that helps drivers factor in truck bans across Poland and other European countries when planning routes.
• e-TOLL – The official toll payment system for Polish highways. In addition to toll roads, it provides information on access and transit restrictions for heavy vehicles.
• Trucker Apps – A mobile app with interactive maps showing truck-restricted zones across Poland, including LEZ (Low Emission Zones) and temporary bans. This tool covers over 40 countries and is updated regularly.

Before starting your trip, always double-check these resources to avoid unnecessary delays and fines. These tools allow you to adjust logistics in advance and comply with all current restrictions tied to the truck ban in Poland.

Truck Movement Restrictions in Poland: What Applies in 2026

Poland’s transport restrictions cover various categories of commercial vehicles. As of 2026, the following limitations remain in effect:

• Weekend and holiday driving bans for trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 12 tons;
• Permanent restrictions based on weight, dimensions, and emission standards, starting from vehicles above 3.5 tons;
• Urban entry limits in cities like Kraków, Warsaw, and Wrocław, where trucks exceeding 16 tons are prohibited from entering to preserve city infrastructure.

The rules apply to:

• Vehicles in categories N2 and N3;
• Truck-trailer combinations;
  
  
• Vehicles that exceed weight thresholds or fall short of required emission classes (e.g., those not meeting EURO 5 or EURO 6 standards).

Some restrictions may also vary depending on the type of cargo, route specifics, or the environmental footprint of the vehicle.

Seasonal and Calendar-Based Truck Ban Poland Rules in 2026

Summer in Poland brings an annual spike in tourist traffic — and with it, a stricter truck ban Poland enforcement. From June 26 to August 30 2026, heavy trucks over 12 tons are restricted from driving during specific time slots:

• Fridays: from 18:00 to 22:00.
• Saturdays: from 08:00 to 14:00.
• Sundays: from 08:00 to 22:00.

These seasonal and calendar-based restrictions are outlined in the official regulation dated July 31, 2007.

Holiday Truck Movement Restrictions

On public holidays listed in the official GDDKiA register, the movement of trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 12 tonnes is restricted on roads in Poland. Restrictions apply:

• On the holiday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• The day before: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

There are exceptions for December 24 and 31, which are exempt from evening bans. Fixed dates: 1 January, 1 and 3 May, 15 August, 1 and 11 November, and 25 and 26 December. Holidays with variable dates, which change from year to year, include Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Corpus Christi (the Feast of the Body of Christ), and Pentecost (Whit Sunday).

All truck restrictions in Poland on public holidays are established at the national level and are mandatory for compliance. It should be noted that 6 January (Epiphany / Three Kings’ Day) is a public holiday; however, it is not listed in the GDDKiA schedule of traffic bans for vehicles over 12 tonnes, and therefore is not included in the list of “holiday traffic restrictions.

Poland Truck Ban: Local Restrictions in Major Cities

In addition to nationwide rules, there are truck bans in Poland that apply within major cities. These are usually based on vehicle weight, time of day, and low-emission zone policies. Below is a city-by-city overview of current restrictions in effect for 2026.

Cities with Weight and Time-Based Truck Restrictions

• Warsaw – Transit is prohibited for trucks over 16 tons. Bans apply during peak hours: 7:00–10:00 a.m. and 4:00–8:00 p.m. Detour routes: DK50, DK62, DK60. Restrictions may be waived with a valid C16 permit.
• Poznań – The city center is closed to trucks over 16 tons during rush hours: 7:00–9:00 a.m. and 2:00–6:00 p.m. Recommended bypass: A2, S11, DK5, DK92.
  
  
• Wrocław – Entry for trucks over 18 tons is limited to three time windows: 6:00–9:00 a.m., 1:00–6:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m.–4:00 a.m. Use A8 (AOW) for detouring.
• Toruń – Trucks above 18 tons are restricted from 6:00–9:00 a.m. and 1:00–7:00 p.m. Suggested routes: DK15, DK80.
• Gliwice – The city imposes a ban on trucks over 12 tons during midnight–4:00 a.m., 6:00–10:00 a.m., and 2:00–6:00 p.m. Use A1, A4, or DK88 for detour.
• Ostrołęka – No access for trucks above 12 tons between 7:00–9:00 a.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m., including roads DK61 and DK53.

SCT (Strefa Czystego Transportu) – Kraków

Starting January 1, 2026, the city of Kraków will implement a comprehensive Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covering nearly the entire urban area. Under this regulation, trucks over 12 tons will be prohibited from entering the city center unless they meet strict environmental standards.

Permitted access is limited to:

• Diesel vehicles manufactured no earlier than 2014 or compliant with EURO 6.
• Petrol or LPG trucks no older than 2005 or compliant with EURO 4.

From 2030 onward, the standards will become even stricter. Only diesel trucks made in 2018 or later with EURO 6d-TEMP emissions classification will be allowed. Requirements for petrol and gas vehicles will remain the same. Access requirements are set at the municipal level and may change over time. Before entering any city, always check the current local regulations.

Additional City-Specific Access Limits for Trucks

• Gdańsk. No entry for trucks over 24 tons on selected downtown streets. Use S6 or S7 for detour.
• Łódź. Access is restricted for trucks above 12 tons unless they have a verified unloading point. Suggested routes: A1, S8, S14.
• Płock. Entry limited to 16 tons. A designated freight corridor network operates without special permits.
• Nowa Sól. No transit for trucks over 15 tons through the center. Temporary restrictions apply on Road 315 (over 3.5 tons) due to construction.
• Kraśnik. Vehicles over 12 tons are banned from streets like Ostrowiecka, Cegielniana, and Młynarska.

Since local policies and roadwork can affect these rules, it’s best to check municipal websites or regional road authorities for real-time updates.

Overtaking Restrictions for Trucks on Polish Highways

Since 2023, specific overtaking restrictions have applied to certain types of freight vehicles on Poland’s highways. These rules mainly affect expressways (S-class) and A-class motorways, especially those with two lanes in each direction.

The overtaking ban applies to:

• Vehicles over 3.5 tons (including those with trailers);
• N3-class trucks (above 12 tons);
• Long vehicles exceeding 7 meters in length.

On three-lane segments in one direction, trucks must remain in the two right-hand lanes entry into the leftmost lane is strictly prohibited. These overtaking restrictions are most common on busy corridors such as the A2 and A4 highways toward the German border, and the S3, S7, and S8 routes, which connect the central, northern, and southern regions of the country.

While not officially called a truck ban in Poland, these lane restrictions function similarly by limiting truck behavior to improve safety and flow on the roads.

How Weather Affects the Truck Ban Poland Policy in 2026

In some cases, severe weather can lead to temporary driving bans for trucks. These aren’t fixed by law in advance, but are legally binding once announced.

During periods of extreme heat, temporary restrictions may be imposed on certain national roads — including DK7, DK8, DK12, DK19, DK50, and DK92 — prohibiting the movement of trucks with a gross weight exceeding 12 tonnes. Exemptions may apply for specific categories of cargo.

In winter, icy roads, heavy snow, and poor visibility can trigger restrictions in mountainous regions, including roads S1, DK47, DK49, DK28, and DK84 in southern Poland. These decisions are made by the national road authority (GDDKiA) in cooperation with the police.

Natural disasters such as floods can also lead to temporary traffic bans for heavy trucks. In September 2024, major roads like DK40, DK45, DK94, and DW120 near the German border were closed due to flooding. These restrictions typically affect vehicles over 12 tons and remain in place until conditions are safe again.

For up-to-date alerts and closures, consult the official websites of GDDKiA, local authorities, or trusted logistics services.

Restrictions for Trucks Based on Infrastructure: Bridges, Tunnels, and Minor Roads in Poland

In addition to nationwide regulations, the truck ban in Poland also includes infrastructure-based restrictions. Truck traffic is often limited by the technical specifications of road infrastructure. On many routes outside motorways, permanent limitations on height, weight, and length apply — and violations can result in fines or even accidents.

Height restrictions most commonly apply to tunnels, railway crossings, and bridges. The standard clearance is 4 meters, although some passages are limited to 3.5–3.8 meters.

Weight limits under the Poland truck ban typically affect older bridges, dams, or historical structures. The most frequent thresholds are 3.5 t, 7.5 t, and 12 t, though some routes may permit trucks up to 16 or even 20 t.

In historic districts and narrow streets, length restrictions may also apply — typically affecting vehicles longer than 12 meters.

In practice, such limitations are commonly encountered on roads like DK52 (Andrychów area), DW776 (between Kraków and Bochnia), DW448 (in Kępno, with a 3.6 m tunnel), as well as DK20 and DK22 in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Special attention should be paid to local routes in Podkarpackie, Opolskie, and Świętokrzyskie regions, where infrastructure is often not adapted for heavy transport.

Non-compliance with infrastructure-related restrictions on truck movement in Poland may lead to significant fines. Depending on the violation, penalties may range from several hundred to tens of thousands of złoty. The most up-to-date fine amounts and legal changes can be found on official resources such as the websites of the General Inspectorate of Road Transport (GITD) and the Ministry of Infrastructure of Poland. It is strongly recommended to check for updates on these platforms before each trip to avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure full compliance.